Stumpy, the little cherry tree that could, no longer can

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Stumpy, the little cherry tree that could, no longer can

The celebrity tree of Washington’s Tidal Basin was removed Friday as part of a planned reconstruction project.

By Joe Heim
May 24, 2024 at 6:53 p.m. EDT

Stumpy, the beautifully bedraggled cherry tree that captured the hearts of visitors to Washington’s Tidal Basin with its plucky resilience and apparent obliviousness to its fate, is no more.

The National Park Service announced in an email that the hollow tree was removed at about 11 a.m. Friday. It was one of 158 cherry trees designated to be taken down as part of a new sea wall construction project on the south side of the Tidal Basin and along the Potomac River.

No cause of death was provided, but a chain saw or brush grubber seem likely culprits. Stumpy was 25 (or in that neighborhood), according to Park Service officials.

Though many campaigned for Stumpy to be preserved, perhaps by being transplanted, it should be noted that the tree was diseased and Park officials had determined it would not survive being moved.



People stop to visit “Stumpy” along the Tidal Basin. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

During peak Stumpy mania, thousands of people who learned that the forlorn tree was not long for the Tidal Basin stopped by to hug or take a selfie with it. For many, the experience was profound.

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The image and spirit of Stumpy will live on with the Stumpy Mascot created for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom races. (Kevin Ambrose for The Washington Post)

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“Stumpy” on March 20. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

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By Joe Heim
Joe Heim joined The Washington Post in 1999. He is a staff writer for the Metro section. Twitter

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. Stumpy, DC's famous cherry blossom tree, dead at 25

Stumpy, DC’s famous cherry blossom tree, dead at 25

Dana Sukontarak | [e-mail]
Ivy Lyons | [e-mail]
May 25, 2024, 6:58 AM


File photo of Stumpy, the cherry blossom tree at the Tidal Basin in D.C. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

Stumpy, a crowd-favorite cherry blossom tree at D.C.’s Tidal Basin, has died at the estimated age of 25. It was the victim of failing seawalls requiring repair, according to a statement from the National Park Service.

Stumpy’s exact age had been unknown for years due to a lack of countable rings inside its hollowed trunk. ... As hollow as his stump may have been, many people said Stumpy was a tiny cherry blossom tree with a whole lot of heart — and one with a whole lot of fans. Stumpy was slight yet iconic, capturing the hearts of D.C. residents and tourists who were all rooting for the little tree through its final moments.

Born and raised in the tough waters of the Tidal Basin, Stumpy was known amongst its arboreal peers as a sweetheart and even a class clown. It especially loved to take photos with visitors, never allowing its mounting health concerns to compromise its flowery smile. ... During his last bloom, visitors came to the Tidal Basin to share hopes and well wishes for the little cherry tree that could, encouraging the National Parks Service to #SaveStumpy any way it could.

Stumpy first stepped into the spotlight circa 2020, when it went viral on Reddit for being compared to one user’s love life. ... Leading up to its death, it entered what tree doctors called a “mortality spiral” — dealing with old age, it also had sun scalding on its bark, advancing fungi, and lived in depleted and compacted soils.

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Link to tweet

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Dana Sukontarak
Dana Sukontarak is a Digital Writer/Editor for WTOP.com. She loves haiku poetry, short sci-fi stories and word games. She grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and currently lives in Silver Spring.

[e-mail]
@LilAPStyle

Ivy Lyons
Ivy Lyons is a digital journalist for WTOP.com. Since 2018, they have worked on Capitol Hill, at NBC News in Washington, and with WJLA in Washington.

[e-mail]
@IvyALyons